Thursday, May 27, 2010

In My Mailbox #002

Hello! I'm actually going to start packing up my stuff, since I'm moving this weekend.  But I decided to write a blog post before I started, because I accumulated a couple books since I last posted...

For Review:
- Tokyo Lives by Mark Hersberger (sent by author)

From the Library:
- Motor Mouth by Janet Evanovich (audio book)
- Thanksgiving by Janet Evanovich (audio book)
- The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory (audio book)

Bought:
- Aphrodite's Kiss by Julie Kenner
- Noble Intentions by Katie MacAlister
- The Mile-High Hair Club by Naomi Neale
- Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips

I've already finished Motor Mouth, so expect a review for that soon.  Audio books are great for when I'm knitting or crocheting!  I get two things done at once...it makes me feel so accomplished, lol.

Anyway, pictures of these books will come after I move...so sometime within the next few weeks.  Keep in mind...I've got finals coming up now.

Friday, May 7, 2010

REVIEW: The V Club

Title: The V Club
Author: Kate Brian
Genre: Young Adult
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Format: Hardcover
# of pages: 280
Source: Library

Summary:
When Victoria A. Treemont, the most revered and reclusive woman in Ardsmore, Pennsylvania, passes away, she leaves behind a $160,000 scholarship fund that rocks the worlds of students at Ardsmore High School.  The successful candidate must "exemplify purity of soul, spirit, and body." Everyone agrees that this caveat can mean only one thing: The recepient of the scholarship must still be holding on to the big V.

Welcome to the V Club—where members embrace abstinence, get off on civic duties, and heat up their chances to clinch the Treemont scholarship. What better way to prove purity than to pledge allegiance to the virginity flag? Besides, chastity belts are sooo 1300s.


Kai, Mandy, Debbie, and Eva have put their futures on the line. But will their deepest insecurities and darkest secrets ruin their chances at the scholarship, or worse, their relationships? Or will they discover the true meaning behind Mrs. Treemont's famous last words?

Review: (note: this review may contain offensive language)
This book reminds me of my senior year in high school, except mines wasn't so drama filled. Senior year of high school is all about applying for college and applying for scholarships to pay for college. At least that's how I felt, and that's the premise of this book. All the main characters are applying for a scholarship, which has all the same requirements of a regular scholarship plus one extra: the recipient of the scholarship "must exemplify purity of soul, spirit, and body." This scholarship will test friendships and other relationships…who knew applying for a scholarship could bring so much drama?

The premise of such a scholarship is definitely interesting. It was fun to see it all unfold throughout the novel, with best friends competing for the same scholarship. I really liked the characters in this one, because they were so real. They all had problems that were explored throughout the book, and in the end I think they all became stronger from their experience. They all learned something about themselves and overcame obstacles. However, I still had some issues with some of the characters. My favorite character was Eva, and my least favorite was Debbie. Debbie claims to be Eva's best friend, yet after learning that Eva liked Riley, that Riley and Eva had set up a date, and that this was the first guy Eva was ever interested in, she still went for Riley. And she was surprised that Eva was hurt after she caught her best friend mauling her crush?? SERIOUSLY?! She even said it was no big deal. And she wonders why people think she's a slut…That may not seem like a very nice thing to say, but I don't like Debbie's character much. I guess that conflicts with me saying that it was fun to see how the competition for the scholarship unfolded between best friends. But I feel it's different, because I feel a scholarship is meant for competition, while a boy is not. You should never go for your best friend's boy. It's like an unwritten rule. Anyway, even though I don't like Debbie as a person, she is a very real character…she did have her own problems to deal with…and I guess she tried to make up for it in the end.

This novel had an interesting storyline and great characters, and I would definitely recommend it, especially if you like YA.

Rating:
Plot - ★★★★★
Characters - ★★★★1/2
Ending - ★★★★1/2
Overall - ★★★★★

Friday, April 30, 2010

Book Blogger Hop!

I just joined the Book Blogger Hop!  It's hosted by Crazy-for-Books.com and is a really great way to find new, interesting book blogs to follow! :)

Monday, April 26, 2010

Midterm Season

It's midterm season again, but that's not the reason why I haven't posted all week.  I just haven't...because I've actually been quite busy.  I have dance practice 3 nights a week, until pretty late.  And then I had homework due this past Thursday, so I was working on that.  Then I also had a doctor's appointment.  But I didn't do any studying yet...

That will be for this week, since all my midterms are this Thursday.  I don't think I'll be getting any leisure reading done this week.  At least not until Friday...But I may post a review or two, since I have some that I'm writing up/working on.

Then, I'm also thinking of joining even more challenges. HAHAHA I just really like them, because they give me somewhere to start when looking for new books to read.  So here are some I'm interested in:
- The Royal Mistress Challenge
- French Historical Challenge
- Stephanie Plum Challenge
- Jean Plaidy Challenge
- The Debutant Ball Challenge


That's all for now~

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Recap: Apr. 11 - Apr. 17, 2010

Currently Reading
- On the Brightside, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God
- The V Club

Books Read
- N/A

Books Added to TBR Pile
- N/A

Books Added to Wishlist 
- Hex Hall

Books Reviewed
- Executive Privilege
Note: I've got lots of books waiting to be reviewed...I hope that I'll be able to work on those reviews starting next week...Just that, I don't always have time to write them right after I finish reading and then I forget exactly what I was thinking/feeling about it and have to reread it again, so I can give the best review I can.  And that takes more time...xD

Challenges Completed
- N/A

Challenges Joined
- Thriller and Suspense Reading Challenge
- What's in a Name? Challenge

Saturday, April 17, 2010

On My Wishlist #001

On My Wishlist is a weekly meme that allows us to share the books we haven't bought yet but are waiting to be bought and devoured. If you are anything like me then your wishlist is getting longer by the day! If you would like to take part and have your own 'On My Wishlist' post then you can find more info here. (This post was inspired by the fab In My Mailbox by Kristi at The Story Siren)"
 I always have so much on my wishlist!  Here's just a few:

Title: Abby Cooper: Psychic Eye
Series: Psychic Eye Mysteries
Author: Victoria Laurie
Genre: Paranormal Mystery
Publisher: Signet
Buy @ Amazon
Other Books in the Series:
2. Better Read than Dead
3. A Vision of Murder
4. Killer Insight
5. Crime Scene
6. Death Perception
7. Doom With a View
8. A Glimpse of Evil


Title: What's a Ghoul to Do?
Series: Ghost Hunter Mysteries
Author: Victoria Laurie
Genre: Paranormal Mystery
Publisher: Signet
Buy @ Amazon
Other Books in the Series:
2. Demons Are a Ghoul's Best Friend
3. Ghoul's Just Haunt to Have Fun!
4. Ghouls Gone Wild





Title: Hex Hall
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Genre: Paranormal YA
Publisher: Hyperion
Buy @ Amazon





Friday, April 16, 2010

MYSTERY: Executive Privilege

Title: Executive Privilege
Series: n/a
Author: Phillip Margolin
Genre: Suspense
Publisher: Recorded Books
Format: Audio Book
# of pages: 10 discs = 11.5 hours
Source: Library

Summary: 
"Hired by a prestigious D.C. attorney and Presidential confidant, ex-cop turned private eye Dana Cutler shadows campaign volunteer Charlotte Walsh--documenting the lovely political science major's whereabouts with pictures and voicemails.  The boring surveillance becomes interesting one night when Charlotte has a clandestine meeting with the President of the United States.  After the 19-year-old's body mutilated body is found the next day, police conclude Charlotte's the latest victim of the D.C. Ripper.  But Dana has evidence that implicates someone in the White House.  Hoping to stay alive long enough to prove it, she hops on her Harley and roars away." - Back Cover

Review: This was the first audio book I ever listened to.  At first, I wasn't sure I liked it, but as I got further along into the story, I couldn't stop listening.   It was also the first Phillip Margolin book that I've ever read.

Usually, I only read cozy mysteries, so this whole reading of a Suspense/Thriller audio book was a new experience for me.  I'm not sure if it was the narrator or the author's writing that made this one of those "can't put down" stories, but both definitely contributed.  The storyline was excellent, as was the narrator's reading of it.  This story simultaneously unfolds on separate sides of the country, with parts taking place in Washington D.C. and parts taking place in Oregon.  I found it to have a nice pace, with clues and details slowly being revealed and everything coming together nicely.  I usually figure out whodunnit by the halfway point in the novel, but I actually couldn't figure out the real person behind it all, until quite near the end.  Also, the characters were very real, with flaws and depths to their personalities.  I really liked that.

All in all, I give it four and a half stars, just because I was able to figure  out whodunnit.  But I still really liked this, and this will definitely not be the last Phillip Margolin book that I read.  Nor will it be my last audio book.

Rating:
Plot - ★★★★★
Characters - ★★★★★
Ending - ★★★★
Overall - ★★★★★

CHALLENGE: What's in a Name?

AND ANOTHER ONE! Because it sounds fun. :)

Find the challenge here: link

Timeline: January 1 and December 31, 2010

Challenge: Read one book in each of the following categories:
  1. A book with a food in the title.
  2. A book with a body of water in the title.
  3. A book with a title (queen, president) in the title.
  4. A book with a plant in the title.
  5. A book with a place name (city, country) in the title.
  6. A book with a music term in the title.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Thriller & Suspense Reading Challenge

I'm joining another challenge!  It must seem like that's all I do, haha.  I've got more I want to join too.  I just love these challenges because it opens me up to loads of new books.  Anyway...This challenge is, as the title says, the Thriller and Suspense Reading Challenge.  This genre has many sub-genres, which you can view here.  The ones I mostly read are the cozy mysteries, but if you look at the list there are sooo many more.  Even though the challenge is to read 12 thrillers in 2010, I also want to challenge myself to try to read one from each sub-genre.




1. Executive Privilege by Phillip Margolin - 04/09/2010 (Political Thriller)
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

Recap: Apr. 04 - Apr. 10, 2010

Currently Reading
- N/A

Books Read
- Executive Privilege by Phillip Margolin (audio)

Books Added to TBR Pile
- N/A

Books Added to Wishlist 
- Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin
- The Cinderella Society by Kay Cassidy
- The Confessions of Catherine de Medici by C.W. Gortner
- My So-Called Afterlife by Tamsyn Murray

Books Reviewed
- N/A

Challenges Completed
- N/A

Challenges Joined
- N/A

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

WWW Wednesday: Apr. 7

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…
  • What are you currently reading?
  • What did you recently finish reading?
  • What do you think you’ll read next?
What are you currently reading?
Currently reading The V Club by Kate Brian.

What did you recently finish reading?
I finished reading Line of Scrimmage by Marie Force last week.

What do you think you'll read next?
On the Bright Side, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God by Louise Rennison.  I haven't gotten around to reading it yet, lol.

Monday, April 5, 2010

In My Mailbox #001

Hello! I'm back from my trip!  I actually didn't get much reading done in the airports, because I actually didn't have to wait all too long.  And then I slept on the plane, lol.  But I LOVED Vancouver.  I'm definitely going back sometime in the future.

I'm kind of sad though, and not just cuz I had to start school again.  I'm sad because my dad gave away all my childhood books this past week, without asking me first!  Some of those I would've liked to keep to pass down to my children.  I guess I can always hunt them down somehow through ebay or whatever, but it's different...they won't be getting the copies that I read when I was a kid, you know?  It's just...different.  And I'm really upset with him for doing that.  My dad just doesn't understand my love of books.  (I get it from my mom.)

Anyway, it's a new month...enough about that.  I guess I'll get over it with time.  In the meantime, I've got many reviews to write and even more books to read.  And sooo, here's my first IMM (photo coming soon, too lazy...lol):

For Review:
- Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls (Goodreads First Read)
- The River Between (LibraryThing ER e-book)

From the Library:
- The V Club by Kate Brian
- The Last Time I was Me by Cathy Lamb
- A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
- On the Brightside, Im Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God by Louise Rennison
- Knocked Out by My Nunga-Nungas by Louise Rennison
- The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor
- Pants on Fire by Meg Cabot
- Executive Privilege by Phillip Margolin (audio book)

Bought:
- Nancy Drew: The Mystery at Lilac Inn
- Marked: A House of Night Novel by P.C. Cast + Kristin Cast
- Ghostwalk by Rebecca Stott
- British Bad Boys by Nancy Warren

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Recap: Mar. 28 - Apr. 03

Currently Reading
- N/A

Books Read
- Romeo, Romeo by Robin Kaye
- Line of Scrimmage by Marie Force

Books Added to TBR Pile
- N/A

Books Added to Wishlist 
- N/A

Books Reviewed
- N/A

Challenges Completed
- Read the Month: March
- Dare You to Read: Line of Scrimmage

Challenges Joined

Monday, March 22, 2010

New Layout + Some Contests!

Hello, hello!  As promised, I found a new layout.  I really like this one...it's got a sort of vintage-y/historical feel to it...

Finals were okay...I guess.  I actually didn't end up reading a leisure read, so no new finished books.  My final paper for one of my classes actually took more time to write than I had anticipated, so a lot of my concentration was on that.

Anyway, I leave for Vancouver tomorrow, and I only have one book packed right now!  I couldn't decide which ones I wanted to bring...so I'm going to look through them later today and decide.  I'm super excited for this trip! :)

Unfortunately, I didn't win the contests I entered before.  But that's not going to stop me from entering more contests.  Here are a couple I've entered recently:

- Princess Bookie's Book Giveaway: Win up to THREE books! (All ARCs)
- The Bibliophilic Book Blog's Follower Giveaway: Win a signed copy of Lament, Ballad, and Shiver

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Recap: Mar. 14 - Mar. 20, 2010

Currently Reading
- On the Bright Side, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God by Louise Rennison
- Guilty Pleasures by Laura Lee Guhrke

Books Read
- no books read this past week, because of finals week :(

Books Added to TBR Pile
- N/A

Books Added to Wishlist 
- Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey
- Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey
- Jane Austen's Best Friend
- Sushi for One by Camy Tang
- Percy Jackson series
- Numbers by Rachel Ward
- Wherever Nina Lies by Lynn Weingarten
- The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor
- Seeing Redd by Frank Beddor

Books Reviewed
- N/A

Challenges Completed
- N/A

Challenges Joined
- 1st in a Series Challenge
- Finish that Series Challenge
- Romance Reading Challenge
- Audio Book Challenge

Audio Book Challenge

Time Frame: January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010

I have never listened an audio book, so I thought I'd give it a challenge.  Since I'm not sure if I'll like audio books, I am going to just attempt the Curious level for now, which is listening to 3 audio books.

I'll post the list as I go along...

Link to challenge: http://theroyalreviews.blogspot.com/2009/12/audio-book-reading-challenge.html

Romance Reading Challenge

Time Frame: January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010

A romance challenge hosted by Royal Reviews.  Since I'm a big romance fan, I think I'll aim for Obsessed level, which is reading 20 romance novels.  I'll post to the list as I read the books...

Link to challenge: http://theroyalreviews.blogspot.com/2009/11/romance-reading-challenge.html

1. Curveball by Kate Angell - 03/28/2010
2. Romeo, Romeo by Robin Kaye - 03/30/2010

Finish That Series Challenge

Time Frame: January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010

Another challenge from Royal Reviews that deals with series.  This one is the finish them...

For this challenge, I'm going for the obsessed level, which is to finish 10 series.  For now, this is a holder post while I check out series to read.

Link to challenge: http://theroyalreviews.blogspot.com/2009/12/finish-that-series-challenge.html

1st in a Series Challenge

Time Frame: January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010

I found this challenge at Royal Reviews, and since I love series, I thought I'd take up this challenge.  There's also a challenge about series at the RRRC...and I'll probably join that one too. Hehe...

I'm going to go for the Addicted level, which is 12 novels that are first in a series.  But for now, this is just a holder post.  I'll post my list of books later...

LIST
1. Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging (Confessions of Georgia Nicolson)
2. Romeo, Romeo by Robin Kaye
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

link to challenge: http://theroyalreviews.blogspot.com/2009/12/1st-in-series-challenge.html

Sunday, March 14, 2010

A Couple of Contests

I know I just said I wasn't going to be really posting, but I just entered a couple of contests, so I thought I'd let you know about them.  The books that are being given away all sound really interesting!

Wherever Nina Lies Giveaway - enter by 3/17

Numbers Giveaway - enter by 3/27

Go enter too! And good luck! :)

Finals Week

It's that time of the quarter again: finals week!  A time when I should be doing nothing but studying and reading only my textbooks.  (I'll probably end up reading some leisure reads though...I always do.)  Just letting you know that there probably won't be as much posting this week...Sort of a mini-hiatus.

When I get back, it'll be Spring Break, and I'll probably come back with a new layout.  I think this blog would do better in the 3 column format.  Too much going on in the one sidebar...lots of scrolling to get through all of it.  So yeah, expect that.  And I'll be going to Vancouver for Spring Break, so I'll probably get some reading done along the way, with all the waiting at airports...

Good luck with your finals, if you're having them now, too! :)

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Recap: Mar. 7 - Mar. 13, 2010

Currently Reading
- On the Bright Side, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God by Louise Rennison
- Guilty Pleasures by Laura Lee Guhrke

Books Read
- Corbin's Fancy by Linda Lael Miller
- Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison

Books Added to TBR Pile
- Guilty Pleasures by Laura Lee Guhrke
- On the Bright Side, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God by Louise Rennison
- Knocked Out by My Nunga-Nungas by Louise Rennison
- Dancing in My Nuddy-Pants by Louise Rennison
- Romeo, Romeo by Robin Kaye
- Curveball by Kate Angell

Books Added to Wishlist
- The Heretic Queen by Michelle Moran
- Nefertiti by Michelle Moran
- Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran
- Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn

Books Reviewed
- Corbin's Fancy by Linda Lael Miller

Challenges Completed
N/A

Challenges Joined
N/A

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

WWW Wednesday: Mar. 10

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…
  • What are you currently reading?
  • What did you recently finish reading?
  • What do you think you’ll read next?
What are you currently reading?
Currently reading Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison.

What did you recently finish reading?
I just finished reading Corbin's Fancyby Linda Lael Miller, and wrote a review on it.  I would say it's not one of her best.

What do you think you'll read next?
On the Bright Side, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God...it's the sequel to Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

ROMANCE: Corbin's Fancy



Title: Corbin's Fancy
Author: Linda Lael Miller
Genre: Historical Romance
# of Pages: 311


Summary:
"When a traveling carnival left Fancy Jordan stranded in the rugged Washington Territory, she thought her luck had run out.  Alone, penniless, she welcomed a most intriguing offer--to live in the home of Jeff Corbin's brother, and coax the wounded, withdrawn Jeff back to health and happiness.

But a villainous attack on his ship had hurt only his body--a far deeper sorrow tortured him, heart and soul.  For as the beautiful gamine fell deeply in love with this handsome, brooding man, she faced a phantom rival...one that only the most splendid, most hearfelt passion could conquer."

Review: I'm really glad this was not the first Linda Lael Miller book I read.  It would have put me off her books forever.  Usually, I find her books engaging and well written, with good character and relationship development.  Not so with this one.  Though it may have been well written, the characters were not at all fleshed out.  And their relationship definitely had issues.  It was altogether too unrealistic.  I know it's fiction, but there has to be a bit of realism to fiction, too.  It has to be just a bit believable...

The main female character, Fancy Jordan, is fired from the traveling circus she was with and is almost immediately offered a job by Keith Corbin, a pastor.  She is to be a companion to his brother, Jeff, who suffered burns when his ship was set on fire.  Keith wants Fancy to draw Jeff out of the inner world he has hidden himself in.  Within two days, it seems she's successful.  Jeff goes outside for the first time in a long time, picking a fight with his brother and calling Fancy a slut.  The brothers don't end up fighting, as Keith will be late for church.  Instead, Fancy and Jeff have sex.  And then Fancy runs away.  Fancy is very insecure about herself and prone to jealousy, stemming from her insecurities and lack of self confidence.  The story is basically Fancy and Jeff arguing, making up, having sex, and then doing it all over again.  They did not get to know each other at all, even after they got married.  They each claimed to love the other, but all they really seemed to have going was sex.  Also, the antagonist of the story, Temple Royce, whom Fancy has been running from and who is Jeff's enemy, is dealt with in an unsatisfying way.  After all the times Temple is mentioned and seen in the story, the ending was very anti-climatic.  It seemed like Temple was there just so there could be a villainous character in the never.  In the end, it seems the author got tired of writing and just wanted it to be over with.

So, to sum it up: I found problems with the characters and the ending.  Plus, the plot wasn't very original.

Rating: ★★

Teaser Tuesday: Mar. 9

"We tried all the testers, and this stuff that you put on your hair, like a wand and it puts a streak of color into your own hair.  I tried all of them but blond looked really brilliant."
~ Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison, p. 151

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Recap: Feb. 28 - Mar. 6, 2010

Books Read
- Impetuous by Lori Foster

Books Added to TBR Pile
- Corbin's Fancy by Linda Lael Miller
- The Last Time I Was Me by Cathy Lamb
- Line of Scrimmage by Marie Force
- Sweet Magnolias series by Sherryl Woods

Books Reviewed
N/A

Challenges Completed
N/A

Challenges Joined
- Read The Last Time I Was Me in 1 month
- Read Line of Scrimmage in 1 month
- Read Sweet Magnolias series (4 books) in 4 months
- 2010 A-Z Author Challenge
- 2010 A-Z Book Challenge
- 2010 A-Z Character Challenge (f)
- 2010 A-Z Character Challenge (m)
- RtM: March
- Women We Love Challenge

Friday, March 5, 2010

RRRC: Women We Love Challenge

RRRC Quarterly Challenge: March 1, 2010 - May 31st, 2010

1. Office/Clerical - Secretary, Assistant, Receptionist, etc.
2. Service Industry - Waitress, Maid, Hairdresser, Cashier, etc.
3. Professional Career Woman - Owns a business or any career that requires a college degree.
-> Rosalie Ronaldi is a Corporate Turnaround Expert in Romeo, Romeo by Robin Kaye (3/30/2010)
4. Life Saving/Medical - Nurse, Doctor, EMT, Lifeguard, etc.
5. Geek/Computers - Librarian, Accountant, Computers, etc.
6. Mom - Single mother, Widow, Homemaker, Pregnant, etc.
7. Traditional Man's Job - Military, Mechanic, Cop, Lumberjack, etc.
8. Works with children - Nanny, Au pair, Day care, Preschool, Pediatrician, etc.
9. School/Academic - Teacher or Student
-> Carlie McDaniels is an elementary school teacher in Impetuous by Lori Foster (3/5/2010)
10. Creative - Artist, Musician, Chef, Photographer, Writer, etc.

For PNR Fans:

1. vampire
2. shifter
3. witch
4. demoness
5. goddess

(I'll add the actual book titles when I read them)

Read the Month: March

Another challenge from Romance Readers Reading Challenges!

What kind of challenge is this?
From the RRRC Group:
The idea is simple: you take the letters of the month, and for each letter you find a book which either has an author whose last name starts with this letter or a book which title starts with the given letter.
Progress: 5/5 - COMPLETED

M - Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys by Kate Brian (03/14/2010)
A - Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson by Louise Rennison (03/13/2010)
R - Romeo, Romeo by Robin Kaye (03/30/2010)
C - Corbin's Fancy by Linda Lael Miller (03/09/2010)
H - Heartbreaker by Diana Palmer (03/07/2010) 

2010 A-Z Male Character Challenge

Progress: 6/26

A:
B:
C:
D: Dan Calebow from It Had to Be You - 01/17/2010
E:
F:
G:
H:
I:
J: Jeff Corbin from Corbin's Fancy - 03/09/2010
K: Kevin Tucker from This Heart of Mine - 01/06/2010
L:
M:
N: Nigel Bevelstoke from The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever - 02/21/2010
O:
P:
Q:
R: Risk Kincaid from Squeeze Play - 01/15/2010
S:
T: Tyler Ramsey from Impetuous - 03/05/2010
U:
V:
W:
X:
Y:
Z:

2010 A-Z Female Character Challenge

Progress: 6/26

A:
B:
C: Cheever, Miranda from The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever - 02/21/2010
D:
E:
F: Fancy Jordan from Corbin's Fancy - 03/09/2010
G: Grayson, Jacy from Squeeze Play - 01/15/2010
H:
I:
J:
K:
L:
M: Molly Sommerville from This Heart of Mine - 01/06/2010
N:
O:
P: Phoebe Sommerville from It Had to Be You - 01/17/2010
Q:
R: Rosalie Ronaldi from Romeo, Romeo - 03/30/2010
S:
T:
U:
V:
W:
X:
Y:
Z:

2010 A-Z Book Challenge

I'm in for this one as well! :)

Progress: 3/26

A:
B:
C:
D:
E:
F:
G:
H:
I: It Had to Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips - 01/17/2010
J:
K:
L:
M:
N:
O:
P:
Q:
R: Romeo, Romeo by Robin Kaye - 03/30/2010
S: Squeeze Play by Kate Angell - 01/15/2010
T: This Heart of Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips - 01/06/2010
U:
V:
W:
X:
Y:
Z:

2010 A-Z Author Challenge

Progress: 6/26

A: Angell, Kate - Squeeze Play 01/15/2010
B:
C:
D:
E:
F: Foster, Lori - Impetuous 03/05/2010
G:
H:
I:
J:
K: Kaye, Robin - Romeo, Romeo 03/30/2010
L:
M: Miller, Linda Lael - Corbin's Fancy 03/09/2010
N:
O:
P: Phillips, Susan Elizabeth - This Heart of Mine 01/06/2010
Q: Quinn, Julia - The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever 02/21/2010
R:
S:
T:
U:
V:
W:
X:
Y:
Z:

Change in 101010 Challenge

So, I decided to change the Shakespeare category in my 101010 challenge, to the Georgia Nicholson books.  After watching the movie, I got interested in the rest of the storyline.  And so now, I'm going to read the complete series, which has 10 books.  Works out pretty perfectly, haha.

Also, I'm doing some other challenges too, and am interested in participating in still more challenges.  Challenges introduce you to so many new books!  I love it!  So the new ones that I've decided to take part in for now are ones I found in the Romance Readers Reading Challenges group on  Goodreads, under their "Dare You to Read" challenges.  The challenges I decided to partake in are: to read Line of Scrimmage by Marie Force in a month, to read The Last Time I Was Me by Cathy Lamb in a month, and to read the Sweet Magnolias series (4 books) by Sherryl Woods within 4 months.  Actually, the Sweet Magnolias series is going to come out with 3 more books this year, so that challenge might be extended.  So yeah, this doesn't seem too bad.  And I can use these books to cross challenge with my 101010 challenge.

There are many more challenges from the Romance Readers Reading Challenges (RRRC) group that I'm interested in.  I also have some I'm interested in from the Royal Reviews site.

So check back for more news on the challenges I'm participating in.  Also, I should have some reviews up next week! :)

Monday, March 1, 2010

Monday Motivation

Hello!  It is officially Monday, and so I thought I'd post with my new weekly thing: Monday Motivation.  Every Monday I will try to post a quote that will try to help motivate us through the week...or maybe just give us a laugh, to make the week not so daunting.  Anyway, I found a good one for this week!

Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.
                                                                                            ~ Louisa May Alcott

Monday, February 22, 2010

I went to Costco about a week ago and picked up 2 books. One I've been wanting, because I'm a big fan of Julia Quinn, and that one is What Happens in London. The other, which is Hearts at Stake, just caught my eye. It's the first in a series, I believe. And it's about vampires. I've always been interested in vampires, along with witches, werewolves, etc., even way before all this Twilight hype. (Haven't even read the Twilight series yet...) Anyway, these two books have been added to my TBR pile, which is quite big (and not completely updated on the sidebar...it's much longer than that)...

I also have several books to review, which I will get around to some time this week...hopefully. I've got a midterm coming up, plus a paper due. So we'll see. I'm also thinking of changing one of my categories for the 101010 challenge to The Georgia Nicholson books, because I just watched the movie Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging, and go interested in rereading. Then, I found out there are actually 10 books in the series! I had only read 3 of them, I think.

Friday, January 8, 2010

101010 Challenge

Classics
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Jane Austen Related
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

1st in Series (that I haven't read yet)
1. Squeeze Play by Kate Angell
2. Romeo, Romeo by Robin Kaye
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

From the Pages to the Big Screen
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Asian Authors
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

YA
1. Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys by Kate Brian
2. The V Club by Kate Brian
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Fantasy
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Mystery
1. Executive Privilege by Philip Margolin
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Georgia Nicholson Books
1. Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Romance/Chick-lit
1. This Heart of Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
2. The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn
3. Impetuous by Lori Foster
4. Heartbreaker by Diana Palmer
5. Corbin's Fancy by Linda Lael Miller
6. Curveball by Kate Angell
7.
8.
9.
10.

2010 Challenges

Alrighty, I'm here to post the year-long challenges I'm starting this year. First off is the 101010 challenge. Here are my categories:

1. Classics
2. Jane Austen Related
3. 1st in Series (that I haven't read yet)
4. From the Pages to the Big Screen
5. Asian Authors
6. YA
7. Fantasy
8. Mystery
9. Georgia Nicholson Books
10 Romance/Chick-lit

Next post will be the books I've read for these categories. Anyway, this is the only challenge I've officially signed up for, so far. Although, if I finish this, I'll be completing the read 100 books challenge, too. Another reading challenge I'm looking into is the Dewey Decimal Challenge. It looks interesting. :)
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